What rocks to use from outside???!!!!!

[AngryTom4]

HI. I am goin to turn my 55 gallon aqyarium into a cichlid tank. I know they need rock formations and i wanna build some for the tank. What types of rocks from outside can i use and is there any sites that can help me identify them????plzzzz.....any input will help. This is one thing that is in my way of setting up the tank for cichlids.thanxs

 

[Nippy]

A general rock identification book would help you, or a friend who studies geology or is a rock hound. Basically, you don't want anything that is considered a carbonate rock. Anthing with CaCO2 in its chemical make-up will start to dissolve and precipitate out minerals that will mess with your pH and possibly cause your fish harm. Limestone and its metamorphic phase, marble, are some examples of rocks you DON'T want. Slate, shale, claystone, mudstone, basalt (anything else volcanic in origin), quartz, granites, etc.. are some examples of good rocks you can put into your tank. If you find something with inclusions (a rock with other minerals attached to it that aren't readily identifiable), you can always check it with a 10% hydrochloric acid solution. If it fizzes, DON'T use it.

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Actually, it depends on what cichlids you are wanting to keep. If you are going with african cichlids (which like lots of rocks, so i assume thats what you are getting) then limestone rocks and rocks that raise your pH are fine to use, because these fish like a high pH (over 8.0).

I would avoid any rocks with iron in them (rusty colored) or like Nippy said with veins and inclusions.

HTH
-Diana

 

[Lobo.]

ow... ive just basically used any rocks ive found outside that look neet, except limestome. ive tried to stick to quartz but i think ive got some other stuff... my tanks been fine, then again my fish arn't exactly picky...

 

[jonathan03]

I use big peices of limestone in my tanks. It does dissolve, but the fish seem to get used to it. It takes a long time to dissolve though so it doesn't create major problems. The benefits of it is that it is cheap since you can get it locally and there are lots of fossils in the rock.

http://enginecontrol.dyn.ee/Images/Jag_Better/Jag_Better0005.jpg
http://enginecontrol.dyn.ee/Images/Jag_Better/Jag_Better0006.jpg

The best way to identify the rocks is to go to your library and get a few good rock books. They are free to check out and you will have an index to use.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

That jag looks a bit hungry.

 

[jonathan03]

Yeah he was just sick and wasn't eating for a while. He looks a lot better in the pics than he did before though.

 

[AngryTom4]

Thanxs! I've pretty much decided im doin a mbuna tank. They seem to fit a 55 gallon better.So anything else now that u know what fish i am putting in?